Alcohol
Alcohol comes in 4 different varieties.
What is Beer, Wine, Liquor, and Hard/Alcohol pop/soda/beverages?
What is the most commonly abused drug among teenagers?
Alcohol
What is one common behavioral red flag for substance use in teens?
Lying or being secretive?
How does smoking affect the way the body looks?
Tobacco smoke makes the eyes sore and red.
Tobacco also stains a person’s teeth, nails, fingers and hands.
Long-term tobacco smoking causes wrinkles on the face.
Myth or Facts
"If a teen doesn't show signs of abuse, they are not using substances"
Myth - Some teens hide how they feel very well, that is why open communication is so important
I was pulled over after a few drinks with my friends the police officer wanted to check something with my breath.
What is BAC?
True or False: Marijuana is a non-addictive drug
False
What are some physical changes a parent might notice in a teen using substances
Bloodshot eyes, change in appetite, weight loss/gain
What are some ways that tobacco companies "target the youth" or younger people? (Give 2)
-social media
-using younger, attractive models
-making it look cool
-creating devices that look sleek
-creating different flavor options
Myth vs Facts
"All teens who experiment with substances will eventually become addicted"
Myth - The risk is higher, but not all will develop addiction
Research shows that drinking during the teen years could interfere with normal____.
A. Brain Development
B. Emotions
C. Way of Thinking
D. All of the Above.
What is D All of the Above.
TRUE or FALSE: Alcohol is a stimulant or “upper.”
Many people think alcohol is a stimulant because 1 or 2 drinks can cause someone to laugh and talk louder. But alcohol is actually a depressant. It slows down the part of the brain that controls a person’s judgment, thinking and speech.
True or False: Teens often show signs of substance abuse only when the issue has escalated.
False
Why is it dangerous to experiment with vaping or other tobacco products?
Teens’ brains are still growing, so nicotine from tobacco products can cause more damage.
Young people often get addicted faster than adults.
They have a harder time quitting. Some serious life-threatening lung problems have been linked to vaping.
Myth vs Facts
"Parents are the most influential people when it comes to preventing substance abuse in teens"
Fact - Research indicates that parents who actively engage with their childrens peers can positively impact their social network. Also, parental communication, monitoring, support and family involvement all play a crucial role in teen substance abuse prevention
___ out of 10 people who have a Substance Use Addiction started using before they were 18.
What is 9
Which drug is most commonly involved in teen overdose?
Fentanyl
What is the percentage of teens who use substances that also have a co-occurring mental health disorder, like depression or anxiety?
60-70% - According to NIDA, 60-70% of teens with substance use disorder also have a co-occurring mental health issue which is why integrated treatment options are so valuable
What causes the most deaths in the United States?
In fact, in the United States, tobacco use causes more deaths than motor vehicle crashes, suicide, homicide, alcohol, illegal drugs and HIV/AIDS combined. Smoking tobacco is responsible for 480,000 deaths each year, or 1 out of every 5 deaths. We don’t yet know all of the long-term negative effects of vaping, but it has been linked to serious lung disease and even death in some cases.
Myth vs Facts
"Teens who use substances are always rebellious and oppositional"
Myth - Many teens may be high functioning and still struggling
True or False - Drinking Alcohol at a young age increases the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder later in life.
True - 4x more likely
Between what ages do teens most often experiment with drugs and alcohol
12-14
Why is it dangerous to experiment with any kind of drug? GIVE 2 REASONS!
People can’t tell how they’ll react to a drug before they use it.
A drug can hurt the body or cause negative consequences even the first time a person uses it.
What are some situations in which a person might feel pressure to vape or use other tobacco products, alcohol or other drugs? (give 2!)
-friends are doing it
-family is doing it
-friends are telling them to just try it
-they THINK others their age are doing it
It’s important to know how to say NO to these pressure lines. Sometimes saying NO can be hard, especially when the person who’s pressuring you is a friend or someone you look up to.
People don't need treatment. They can stop using drugs if they really want to.
It is extremely difficult for people addicted to drugs to achieve and maintain long-term abstinence. Research shows long-term drug use actually changes a person's brain function, causing them to crave the drug even more, making it increasingly difficult for the person to quit. Especially for adolescents, intervening and stopping substance abuse early is important, as children become addicted to drugs much faster than adults and risk greater physical, mental and psychological harm from illicit drug use.